11 Best Hair Moisturizers For African American Hair
These hair moisturizers add that extra moisture to African hair and fix common hair issues.
Alexandro VasquezHairdresser
Expertise: Hairdressing & Hair Color
Experience: 24 years
Alexandro Vasquez has been a hairdresser since 1997 and has worked in various countries, including Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, and UAE. His experience spans salon brands such as Toni&Guy, Aveda, and Leekaja. He special... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Since moisturization is mandatory when it comes to natural African hair, we have listed the 11 best hair moisturizers for African hair in this article. These moisturizers work wonders for the coily and coarse hair that tends to become dry very quickly. They retain the moisture and hydrate the hair, making them look effortlessly healthy and gorgeous. With them in place, styling this hair type becomes easier too. So, go ahead and give this piece a read.
In This Article
11 Best Hair Moisturizers For Natural Hair
1. Best Overall: As I Am Double Butter Cream
The As I Am Double Butter Cream contains a rich blend of the finest natural butters and organic oils. It helps reduce dryness and makes the hair soft and manageable. It can be used as a daily moisturizer to restore hair health. It helps seal in moisture and makes the curls soft and shiny. This cream is enriched with pro-vitamin B5, and it repairs split ends and strengthens hair.
How To Use: Apply this butter to your hair, depending on how much your hair needs. Take some butter in your palms and scrunch it onto your hair. This enhances the curl structure. You can also use this butter to set twists and twist-outs. This video gives you more information about the product.
Pros
- Works well on transitioning hair
- Makes curls manageable
- Retains moisture
- Sweet and light smell
- Adds shine
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- May cause breakouts on sensitive skin.
- Might leave the hair feeling waxy.
2. Best For Dry Hair: Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk
The Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk converts dry and frizzy hair to soft and well-defined curls. It protects the hair from breakage, dryness, and unmanageability. It contains shea butter that deeply hydrates the hair and soybean oil that softens and strengthens hair. It also contains agave nectar that locks in natural hair moisture and makes the hair extra healthy. This rich, creamy milk is absorbed easily into curly and kinky hair. Have a look at this video to learn more about the product.
How To Use: Apply this moisturizing milk to your damp curls after co-washing. Apply it evenly with your finger.
Pros
- Detangles hair
- Reduces frizz
- Strengthens hair
- Absorbed quickly
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- No artificial colors
- Petroleum-free
Cons
- May make hair greasy.
- Some people may not like the smell.
3. Best Daily Moisturizer: TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer
The TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer locks in moisture from the roots to the ends of every hair strand. It contains vitamin E, which promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. It also has shea butter that retains moisture and keeps the hair hydrated. The cocoa butter conditions the hair and makes it strong and lustrous. This cream reduces frizz and smoothes the hair cuticles without making your hair feel heavy or oily. Its gentle formula can be used daily for everyday care. It works as a styling gel too for twists and twist-outs. Here is an informative video that tells you more about the product.
How To Use: Apply the butter to washed and damp hair. Coat the hair evenly.
Pros
- Reduces frizz and fly aways
- Promotes hair growth
- Imparts shine and softness
- Great for styling
Cons
- Might make hair flaky.
- Might leave a sticky residue.
- Might cause tangles.
4. Best Hydrating Formula: Roots Naturelle Curly Bouncy Curls Ultra Rich Hydrating Crème
The Roots Naturelle Ultra Rich Hydrating Crème hydrates your curls and makes them soft. It enhances the curl structure and adds bounce. It contains olive and grape seed oils that infuse moisture. The proteins strengthen and protect the hair from frizz. It also contains other ingredients like aloe leaf extract, shea butter, and coconut oil, which strengthen the hair and improve its quality. It can be used every day as a moisturizer and for styling.
How To Use: You can apply this creme to towel-dried hair and massage it in from the roots to the ends.
Pros
- Defines curls
- Reduces frizz
- Perfect for daily styling
Cons
- Might not suit all kinky hair types.
- Might leave a sticky residue.
Pro Tip5. Best For Building Curls: Natural Formula Hair Moisturizer
The Natural Formula Hair Moisturizer conditions and moisturizes hair while preventing frizz. It accentuates the curls and makes them soft and velvety. This moisturizer reduces and prevents hair damage caused by pollution, sun rays, and environmental conditions. It rejuvenates dry, dull, and fatigued hair. It also improves hair elasticity and gives your hair a fresh and vibrant appearance. It contains oatmeal, macadamia nut extracts, shea butter, jojoba extract, and avocado oil. The oatmeal and macadamia nut extract provide nourishment to the hair and preserve its structure. The shea butter, jojoba extract, and avocado oil protect the hair, reducing frizziness and dryness and making it soft and supple.
How To Use: Apply the moisturizer to damp and washed hair. Spread it over the entire length of your hair, curling the hair with your fingers as you go. It can also be used as a styling cream.
Pros
- Defines curls
- Makes hair manageable
- Reduces frizz
- Detangles curls
- Adds shine
Cons
- Strong smell
Pro Tip6. Best For Coils & Curls: African Pride Moisture Miracle
The African Pride Moisture Miracle contains a blend of chocolate, honey, and coconut oil. Honey helps retain moisture in the hair and make it shine. Honey also helps reduce frizz and decrease severe dandruff. The chocolate restores hair health and prevents damage. It also contains coconut oil that hydrates and repairs the hair. This blend of ingredients helps moisturize dry curls and enhance their structure.
How To Use: Apply the moisturizer to wet and washed hair, massaging it from the roots to the ends. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off thoroughly.
Pros
- Softens hair
- Detangles hair
- Reduces frizz
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
- Has a strong smell.
- Might not coat hair fully.
Pro Tip7. Best For Damaged Hair: SoftSheen-Carson Super Softening Hair Butter
The Soft Sheen Carson Super Softening Hair Butter is specifically for dry, transitioning, and damaged kinky hair. It reduces breakage and deeply moisturizes and reconstructs damaged hair. It promotes a healthy scalp while making the hair supple and shiny. It reduces frizz and helps detangle and hydrate hair.
How To Use: Apply the butter to washed and damp hair.
Pros
- Softens hair
- Defines curls
- Detangles hair
- Reduces frizz
- No build-up
- Alcohol-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
Pro Tip8. Best For Long-Lasting Softness: Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-in Conditioner
Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-in conditioner provides ultra-hydration and deep moisture to your hair and scalp. It reduces dryness and offers long-lasting softness. It is specifically made for wavy, curly, and kinky hair and doesn’t make curls feel heavy. It contains ingredients like marshmallow root, shea butter, and extra virgin olive oil that intensely moisturize hair.
How To Use: Apply this moisturizer to towel-dried or damp hair. Comb your hair to evenly spread the moisturizer and for detangling.
Pros
- Softens hair
- Adds shine
- Reduces frizz
- Safe for colored hair
- Detangles hair
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
- Contains alcohol that dries hair.
- May cause an allergic reaction like itching.
Pro Tip9. Best For Wavy Curly Hair: Miss Jessie’s Leave In Condish
The Miss Jessie’s Leave In Con dish is a lightweight conditioner that deeply moisturizes hair. It helps detangle hair and reduce frizz. It makes curls soft and shiny and does not leave an oily residue. It coats the curls and seals the moisture, making the hair tamable and manageable. It contains ingredients like soybean and aloe vera, which are known for their moisturizing properties.
How To Use: Apply this conditioner to damp hair and leave it on. You can also style your hair and add shine to your curls.
Pros
- Reduces hair breakage
- Softens hair
- Makes hair manageable
- Defines curls
Cons
- Chemical smell
- Does not detangle hair.
- Might leave hair crunchy.
10. Best Moisturizer With Organic & Natural Ingredients: Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Hair Parfait
The Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Hair Parfait improves hair strength and makes curly hair shiny and manageable. It nourishes dry and damaged curly hair and renews hair luster and shine. It improves hair elasticity while preventing frizz and dullness. It increases moisture by binding with hair protein. You can use it to style twisted and braided hairstyles. It is safe for color-treated hair and can be used on wet or dry hair.
How To Use: After using a leave-in conditioner, take a small amount of the hair parfait in your palms and rub them together so that it melts. Apply the parfait to hair and style as usual.
Pros
- Softens hair
- Good fragrance
- Adds shine
- Helps in styling hair
- Provides long-lasting hydration
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- May be too greasy.
11. Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
The Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream is made for natural and textured hair. It adds extra moisture to the hair, making it healthy and shiny. It also helps in taming and styling hair. It smoothes the hair while enhancing the natural curl pattern. It makes the hair voluminous without any frizz. It contains coconut oil that protects the hair from damage within the cuticle while keeping it moisturized.
How To Use: Apply this cream to damp hair in sections. You can also apply it to dry hair to add shine and extra moisture.
Pros
- Defines curls
- Makes hair soft
- Reduces frizz
- Adds shine
- Helps style hair
Cons
- May weigh the hair down.
- May make the hair crunchy.
Maintaining African tresses can be tough if you are not aware of the right formulas to go for. To help you choose the finest moisturizers for nourishing your beautiful African hair, we have compiled a few simple guidelines.
How To Choose The Best Hair Moisturizers For African-American Hair
- Ingredients To Choose
It is important to start with emollient components when evaluating a product. You cannot go wrong with fatty acids and oils including shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, argan oil, castor oil, and lanolin. These ingredients do more than simply hydrate the hair; they also protect the cuticles from drying out. You should also keep an eye out for vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, notably vitamin B5 and vitamin E. These aid in mending split ends and taming frizz.
- Ingredients To Avoid
Although silicones and alcohol aren’t harmful by themselves, they are two chemicals you need to avoid when shopping for an African hair moisturizer. Rapidly smoothing hair using silicones is great, but they can cause build-up on the scalp and strands if used too often. Most creams also include alcohol as a component, however only certain types of alcohol (Cetearyl alcohol) are beneficial to your hair. Alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and others can dry out your scalp and hair, and in some circumstances, cause irritation.
Sulfates have the tendency to strip the scalp and hair of their natural oils which might have negative consequences on African hair. They cause the hair to dry out too quickly, which can give rise to frizzy strands. Avoid moisturizers with sulfates if you have kinky, coily, dry or damaged hair. Also, those with dandruff or a severely dry scalp should avoid sulfate-containing products.
- Formula
Choose formulas according to your preferences. Go for creams, parfaits (the combination of gel and cream), or oils as per your hair type and needs. However, kinky and curly African hair types should opt for oily concoctions which often work best.
- Speciality
Whether or not you decide to purchase a certain moisturizer should depend mostly on its claimed benefits. You may be looking for a moisturizer to help with a specific ailment, such as persistent dandruff. Opt for the one that meets your needs.
- Consistency
Be wary of products that are overly heavy, since they may result in an oily build-up in your hair. However, if you have extremely dry, frizzy hair, a heavy moisturizer will work wonders. The secret is to layer it proportionately with other hair care products.
Infographic: Hair Moisturizers For African Hair: Points To Remember & Styling Tips
African American hair is typically dry, and it is challenging to maintain this hair type. Therefore, moisturization is essential. Hair moisturizers hydrate and nourish the hair, making it seem naturally healthy and beautiful. The infographic below will help you understand the ingredients to consider before selecting the best moisturizers for African hair and some useful styling tips. Scroll down for more information. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
The best hair moisturizers for African hair are known to improve the health of coily and coarse tresses. These moisturizers help reduce dryness and make the hair softer, plumper, and manageable. Hair moisturizers enriched with pro-vitamin B5 repair split ends, strengthen your hair, and hydrate your tresses to their very core. If you have sensitive tresses, you should avoid moisturizers that are prone to causing hair fall. Steer clear of the ones that might leave the hair feeling greasy.
Why Trust Stylecraze
Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach with a keen interest in hair care. She thoroughly researches various hair care products and their ingredients to bring out the best compilation for the readers. The list of best hair moisturizers for African hair is curated after thoroughly exploring various products and reading many customer reviews on various trusted platforms. These moisturizers are the best way to keep frizz at bay and get healthy hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a hair moisturizer work?
Apply the hair moisturizer to wet and damp hair. This helps to detangle hair and retain moisture.
How do I keep my natural hair moisturized?
Use a hair moisturizer daily. Also, keep a water spray handy to sprinkle water on your kinky locks to keep them hydrated and not weighed down.
Should I moisturize my hair daily?
Moisturize your hair daily until it is hydrated and nourished. You can then moisturize your hair every other day to keep it intensely moisturized.
How can I keep my hair naturally moisturized?
Use a moisturizer with water as the primary ingredient. Keep a water spray handy to hydrate your curls. Use shea butter, avocado, aloe vera, coconut oil, or castor oil on your curls. Trim your hair regularly and reduce using heating tools to style your hair. Allow your hair to relax once in a while instead of styling it in tight hairstyles.
Recommended Articles
- 6 Natural Ways To Moisturize Your Hair
- Best Products For Type 4 Kinky And Coily Hair
- Natural Conditioners For Dry Hair
- Damaged Hair: How To Repair, Restore, And Protect It
- Best Hair Masks For Damaged Hair
